New Arundel prosecutor to lead on Capital case

Anne Arundel County’s new head prosecutor will lead on the Capital Gazette shooting case, she said Saturday, and she predicts the case will go to trial. State’s Attorney- elect Anne Colt Leitess said she would prosecute the case after the departure of her predecessor, Wes Adams, who has handled the case since the June 28 attack. “I expect it to go to trial,” Colt Leitess said, though she said the case might be delayed. In August, Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge Laura Ripken set a trial for Jan. 15, to last about10 days. But more recently, Ripken issued a directive extending the defense’s plea deadline and canceling an October motions hearing. There are still hearings scheduled for December, though whether they will happen as scheduled is uncertain. The county’s top public defender, Bill Davis, who is representing the suspected killer, Jarrod Ramos, may step away from the case because of his health. Assistant Public Defender Elizabeth Palan, who is also representing Ramos, did not respond to requests for comment. The case will determine whether five Capital Gazette employees — Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Wendi Winters — were killed by Ramos, a Laurel man with a documented grudge against The Capital newspaper and former columnist Eric Hartley. Colt Leitess said Davis’ health concerns are not the only factors that might delay the case. Davis previously filed a motion asking for more time to explore a plea of not criminally responsible by reason of insanity. The defense has a mid-December deadline to file. cide. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy today to determine the cause and manner of death, police said. Homicide detectives asked anyone with information about the homicide to call 410-222-4731. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line at 410222-4700 or Metro Crime Stoppers.